The skull of human ancestors?
Interesting.
Amid the bustling crowd, a man so inconspicuous he was nearly transparent flashed a sharp glint in his eyes before settling back into calm.
...
Shen Nanchu was sleeping soundly, completely unaware that the villagers in the mountains were in an uproar over her. Even the Pei family in the capital had nearly turned their house upside down because of her.
Pei Zhengnian never expected that their last parting would be the final time he saw her.
If he hadn’t decided to deliver the last of his hidden savings to Shen Nanchu before leaving, he wouldn’t have discovered that she no longer lived at East Third Alley, No. 206.
The Pei household had already been packed up.
Everyone stood in the living room, silent.
Ever since that day when Shen Nanchu salvaged the Pei family’s crumbling dignity from Lei Zhenhua’s schemes and thwarted his malicious plans, the Pei family’s feelings toward her had become complicated.
Especially for Pei Zhengnian.
He wasn’t sure whether he hated Shen Nanchu more or felt more gratitude toward her.
"Zhengnian, have you found your sister-in-law—no, Xiaochu?" Pei’s Mother asked, her face weary with worry.
"No," Pei Zhengnian replied, his brows furrowed so tightly they could crush a fly.
"She quit her job at the cultural troupe, and no one has seen a trace of her."
If this were the Pei family of the past, tracking Shen Nanchu’s whereabouts would have been as easy as plucking a leaf from a tree.
But given the family’s current state, Pei Zhengnian’s hands were tied.
"Mom, don’t worry. I’ve already asked my old comrades to help look for her."
Pei’s Mother nodded but said nothing more.
Pei Yunxi’s face was deathly pale. "Second Brother, do you think she was kidnapped by bad people?"
"Yunxi, enough," Pei’s Mother scolded sharply.
"No," Pei Zhengnian said firmly, though the faint worry in his eyes betrayed his words.
"Stop worrying needlessly. That girl is sharp. Wherever she’s gone, it’s surely better than following us to the countryside."
Grandma Pei’s words left everyone in silence.
She was right.
Anything was better than being sent to the countryside.
With one last glance at the home they had lived in for so many years, the Pei family picked up their luggage and left.
...
Wang Family Village.
Shen Nanchu slept until nearly five in the afternoon, feeling utterly refreshed.
After mixing some powdered milk for her cat, Coal Ball, she put on a straw hat and headed up the mountain.
The sun was already dipping westward, and the light was no longer harsh.
On the mountain, the villagers, exhausted from a long afternoon of labor, were sweaty, thirsty, and hungry.
"The sun’s almost down. What’s Shen Nanchu even doing here now?"
"Exactly! If you’re going to work, you should come early!"
"Probably just putting on a show for the village chief."
...
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...
Shen Nanchu had expected this—standing out would inevitably draw criticism.
And the criticism was welcome!
Keep it coming, everyone!
Wang Jianguo was also curious about her sudden appearance.
"Shen Nanchu, the sun’s almost set. Why are you still coming up the mountain?"
"Village Chief, you don’t understand," Shen Nanchu said solemnly, standing straight.
"Some artifacts can’t be exposed to direct sunlight—it damages them."
"To conduct proper research, we must preserve the integrity of these relics."
Wang Jianguo didn’t know much about artifacts, but he did know that things dried out if left in the sun too long.
Many villagers understood this too.
Sheepishly, they lowered their heads. They had misjudged Shen Nanchu.
Shen Nanchu wandered over to the spot where the bones had first been discovered.
After spreading some grass as a cushion and snapping off a branch, she plopped down and started digging.
Her method didn’t seem particularly technical.
Some of the watching villagers muttered to themselves, but this time, they didn’t dare voice their doubts.
What if Shen Nanchu’s technique had some hidden brilliance they just couldn’t see?
As she dug, Shen Nanchu yawned.
Honestly, working at this time of day was incredibly comfortable.
The breeze was just right—cool and refreshing.
No sun beating down—perfect.
Her system, observing the whole scene, couldn’t help but think that if there were an Oscar for acting, its host would win hands down.
...
As time passed, the villagers moved from the mountainside to higher ground.
Looking back, Shen Nanchu was still sitting in the same spot, not having budged an inch.
Li Mei couldn’t take it anymore.
"Bullshit about digging for artifacts!"
"She’s been sitting there for hours without doing anything. Just slacking off!"
Song Qingyang nodded in agreement.
"I once had the privilege of visiting the Cultural Relics Bureau. Artifact excavation doesn’t look like this."
In truth, Song Qingyang had only seen displayed artifacts at the bureau—he’d never witnessed an actual excavation.
"Qingyang, you’re so impressive," Li Mei gushed, her eyes sparkling with admiration.
Fang Jie stayed silent, but her gaze at Song Qingyang was equally worshipful.
The villagers, eavesdropping, instinctively gathered around Song Qingyang.
"Song Qingyang, tell us—how are artifacts really dug up?"
"Yeah, is it like how Shen Nanchu’s doing it?"
"Just sitting in one spot for hours?"
Song Qingyang had only wanted to show off his knowledge to Li Mei and Fang Jie, not perform for the whole village.
But as the villagers stared at him, waiting for answers, he felt an odd, intoxicating sense of superiority.
Song Qingyang nodded.
He hadn’t seen an excavation in person, but he’d read about it in books.
Books couldn’t be wrong, right?
And so, Song Qingyang began his grand performance.
"Before excavation, you need background research, then assemble a team for on-site digging."
The villagers listened, their faces a mix of confusion and awe.
They sort of understood—but not really.
"Song Qingyang, this digging business doesn’t sound too complicated, huh?"
"So it’s reading books, finding people, and digging holes?"
"Digging’s easy! I could do that too."
...
As the villagers chattered, Song Qingyang’s smile grew strained.
"Hey, Song Qingyang, you talked so much, but you still haven’t told us—is Shen Nanchu’s digging method right or not?"
All eyes fixed on him.
Song Qingyang had no idea whether Shen Nanchu’s method was correct.
But fueled by resentment over being ignored by her, he shook his head vindictively.
The villagers erupted.
"Wow, Shen Nanchu lied to us?"
"How shameless, slacking off like that!"
"Let’s report her to the village chief!"
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...
